UV‐Photocrosslinking of Inulin Derivatives to Produce Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Application

Summary: In this work, INU, a natural polysaccharide, has been chemically modified in order to obtain new photocrosslinkable derivatives. To reach this goal, INU has been derivatized with MA thus obtaining four samples (INU‐MA derivatives) as a function of the temperature and time of reaction. An aqueous solution of the derivative INU‐MA 1 was irradiated by using a UV lamp with an emission range from 250 to 364 nm and without using photoinitiators. The obtained hydrogel showed a remarkable water affinity but it underwent a partial degradation in simulated gastric fluid. To overcome this drawback, INU‐MA 1 was derivatized with SA thus obtaining the INU‐MA 1 ‐SA derivative designed to produce a hydrogel showing a low swelling and an increased chemical stability in acidic medium. Ibuprofen, as a model drug, was loaded by soaking into INU‐MA 1 and INU‐MA 1 ‐SA hydrogels and its release from these matrices was evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. INU‐MA 1 hydrogel showed the ability to quickly release the entrapped drug thus indicating its potential as a matrix for an oral formulation. INU‐MA 1 ‐SA hydrogel showed a pH‐responsive drug delivery. Therefore it is a promising candidate for controlled drug release in the intestinal tract.